NEWS

On Sunday, January 31st, Borough President Oddo hosted his annual Direct Connect Sunday open house at Borough Hall. Nearly 300 people came by to talk with the BP, ask questions and get advice on issues they have been experiencing.

Detailed displays explained the initiatives that the BP and staff are working on and his agenda for 2016. Visitors were able to tour historic Borough Hall, including the BP’s office and his Topographical Unit.

Constituents also met with representatives from several city agencies and cultural institutions, including the Department of Transportation, Parks Department, Office of Emergency Management, NYPD, FDNY, the Staten Island Museum, Historic Richmond Town, Snug Harbor Cultural Center, the Staten Island Zoo and the New York Road Runners. These organizations gave out smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, emergency preparedness kits, and information about their programs. Some lucky visitors won free memberships to Historic Richmond Town and got to meet a few of the Staten Island Zoo’s animal friends at the event.

On the evening of January 14, Borough president James Oddo once again threw open the doors to Borough hall, inviting high school seniors, teachers and principals to his first ever “Night of Mentors.” The event had the BP inviting his friends and contacts in the professional world giving their time to talk to the students about their careers and their journeys since high school.

The BP explained that as a student and young man, he did everything right- he did what everyone told him to do: he went to school, got good grades and graduated law school. But even after all that work, there were no jobs.​“I'm a kid from Old Town Road,” he told a packed room at Borough Hall. “I wasn't born into a political family. Then I met my mentor, John Fusco, and my life changed.”He created “A Night of Mentors” with the hope that SI students could make connections with professionals in the community and that a mentor relationship could emerge.“Maybe, just maybe, you'll connect with someone,” BP Oddo told the students.

Borough President James S. Oddo will award William A. Morris Jr. with the annual Maniscalco Award at a ceremony in Borough Hall on February 3.The Albert V. Maniscalco Community Service Award was established in 1986 in honor of the ninth borough president. Maniscalco's tenure from 1955 to 1965 saw the creation of the Greenbelt and the construction of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. The award celebrates the civic-mindedness and tireless energy of individuals or organizations that work to help community members in need and to make Staten Island a better place.“Last year, I met William Morris and was amazed by his life story. He is one of the most remarkable gentlemen I have ever met,” said Borough President Oddo. “At 96 years old, he has not stopped giving back to the community. From his heroic service in World War II to his continued charitable work here at home, I can think of no one more deserving of this award.”William A. Morris Jr. was born and raised on Staten Island. His family heritage on Staten Island dates back to the early 1700s, and he is a descendant of the last slave sold on Staten Island. He graduated from P.S. 18 and Port Richmond High School and attended Wagner College before serving our nation with the US Army during World War II. After he enlisted in 1939, he served in the Pacific and European theaters of operation, including the Normandy Beach D-day invasion, Battle of the Bulge and served for 5 years in the in the all black 369th as a sergeant until his honorable discharge. A book published last year, The Soldier that Wagged Her Tail, written by his daughter Dolores N. Morris, tells the wartime story of Morris and his constant companion, a little terrier dog Trixie. Morris married Norcie Allen in 1943, and together they raised four children and two foster children. He and his wife have run the food pantry at Faith United Methodist Church for the last 30 years. Morris has also served as a Boy Scout leader of troop 47 for 35 years. He and his wife received the Silver Beaver, the highest award of service and scouting for their great work. In addition, he founded an ran the Morris Softball League as P.S. 19 for 16 years, serving more than 900 children each summer."I consider this award an amazing honor. As a lifelong Staten Islander, I have lived my life for faith, family and community,” said Morris. “My hope is that my receiving this honor will serve as an example to others, especially the young people, to direct them in service to community to make Staten Island a better place.""I can't think of any one more suited to receive the Maniscalco Award,” said Morris’ daughter, Dolores. “Dad has always been about community service, especially to the youth of Staten Island. There are thousands of Staten Island young people now adults, who have been touched by his dedication. I'm thrilled that he is finally being recognized for all he has done."Here are the past winners of the Maniscalco Award:Richard E. Diamond, John L.F. Sipp, Norma D’Arrigo, Allan Weissglass, Martin Stallone, Roger E. Acker, Reverend Robert I. Gannon, Michael F. Manzulli, Michael J. Petrides, Marie G. Martino, Frank Powers, Susie Hyun Sook Beidel, Brian J. Laline, Reverend Hattie Smith-Davis, and Joseph V. Madory, Lou Caravone, Jose Joe Valentin, Nancy Passeri, retired Borough Commander Anthony Marra, Reverend Terry Troia, Senator John J. Marchi, Wendy Pellegrino, Fred Ariemma, Joanne E. Gerenser, Ph.D., Dr. S. Chitoor Govindaraj, Kathryn Krause Rooney, the Siller Family, George and Maria Esposito, the Mannix Family, and the Dr. Theodore Atlas Foundation.

The Mayor’s Office of Housing Recovery, in partnership with Borough President James Oddo, have announced the procurement for new temporary housing for homeowners impacted by Hurricane Sandy who need to relocate while their homes undergo construction.HRO is calling on landlords throughout Sandy-impacted communities to offer available apartments for Build it Back applicants to temporarily rent. All landlords will be reimbursed up to designated rental amounts specified by Build it Back. Assisting families in finding temporary housing with allow the program to continue to accelerate construction as it moves aggressively towards Mayor Bill de Blasio’s goal of having all Sandy homes complete by the end of the year. Landlords interested in helping can call Build it Back at 212-615-8329.“As we move forward towards the Mayor’s goal of completing Build it Back by the end of the year, we are taking unprecedented steps to assist homeowners needing to relocate due to construction,” said Amy Peterson, Director of the Mayor’s Office of Housing Recovery. “Building on the pilot program we launched with the Mayor’s Fund and NYDIS this past year, we will be vastly expanding our resources to help homeowners find temporary apartments and to help them with all aspects of the move-out process. Additionally, we are looking to partner with landlords in the community who can offer temporary leases. As we reflect on our New Year’s resolutions, we are calling on New Yorkers to make a renewed commitment to helping their Sandy-impacted neighbors.”“So much work has gone into the efforts to elevate and reconstruct homes affected by Sandy, and unfortunately the final obstacle in getting many people back home is finding them temporary housing while the work on their homes takes place,” said Borough President James Oddo. “Candidly, from a landlord’s point of view, short term leases are not ideal, but we are asking Staten Islanders who have the space to offer a little cup of kindness and make their vacant apartments available so those affected by Sandy can temporarily move in while their homes are reconstructed or elevated."

Continuing the tradition he began in 2014 when he held an Open House in lieu of a traditional swearing in ceremony, Borough President James Oddo will host his annual “Direct Connect Sunday” Open House at Borough Hall to meet and greet constituents and inform them about projects and initiatives his office is tackling.

“Direct Connect Sunday” will be held on Sunday, January 31 from noon to 3 PM. Staten Islanders are encouraged to come by and learn more about what the Borough President’s office is doing to improve Staten Island, talk with BP Oddo and staff about specific issues, and have the opportunity to tour historic Borough Hall.“Once again, we are opening Borough Hall’s doors to the public and encourage Staten Islanders to attend on January 31 and learn more about what we have been working on this past year and our plans for next year,” noted Oddo. “Although they already have figurative direct access to us 24/7 through our active social media accounts, ‘Direct Connect’ Sunday provides Staten Islanders with the opportunity to have personal direct access to us. Our open houses in 2014 and 2015 were successes, and we anticipate a similar level of success.”

For the event, staff will be on hand to help with constituent issues, answer questions from the public, as well as discuss the issues that the Borough President is working on to improve Staten Island. The office will also have a detailed display about plans and initiatives rolled out during 2015, as well as the Borough President’s agenda for 2016.